Looks like that HBO vs Game of Thrones video showdown set a precedent, because AMC has now threatened legal action against a Walking Dead fan community over spoilers related to unaired episodes of the zombie TV show.
As Torrentfreak report, a group called The Spoiling Dead Fans like to get their hands on everything to do with the show, even if it hasn’t been spoken about or aired publicly yet.
In this case, there’s a chance they might know who Negan killed at the end of the last season, something regular viewers won’t find out until the next episode actually run.
AMC, the network that airs the show, are not happy about even the potential of this getting out. In a post made to the group’s Facebook page, the The Spoiling Dead Fans’ leadership writes:
After two years, AMC finally reached out to us! But it wasn’t a request not to post any info about the Lucille Victim or any type of friendly attempt at compromise, it was a cease and desist and a threat of a lawsuit by AMC Holdings, LLC’s attorney, Dennis Wilson. They say we can’t make any type of prediction about the Lucille Victim. Their stance is that making such a prediction would be considered copyright infringement.
So, not just a threat about spoilers, a threat about spoiler predictions. And it worked. Being a community of fans, and not a commercial/news site, the operators feel that the risk of posting the spoiler isn’t worth the possible punitive action, and so won’t be sharing it.
“Please respect our decision not to put our livelihoods at risk”, one writes on Facebook. “AMC has been harassing us for four days now by contacting our homes, our family members and our employers; even posting on this page and personal social media accounts. We are fans of this show just like you and aren’t a commercial operation that makes profit. We have families and careers to think about. No spoiler will ever be worth compromising those things. If you think this makes us pussies that are bowing down to AMC then so be it.”
Torrentfreak got hold of the legal letter sent to the community, and it essentially threatens them with a copyright infringement lawsuit:
You also state that you plan to distribute this purported highly confidential information despite your knowledge that such distribution, if the information is indeed accurate, is unauthorised and will greatly damage AMC, distributors of The Walking Dead as well as Walking Dead fans awaiting the new seasons’ release who wish to watch their favourite show unspoiled.
What a world we live in. While AMC’s threats are obviously concerning legally, The Spoiling Dead Fans probably aren’t helping their situation by using language like this:
The truth is, we have become victims of our own success. We hold a track record for accuracy and now AMC perceives us as a threat. We can understand why. We were once just a small community, but now we are 400,000 strong among all our outlets. The TSDF Army, originally named in jest, is now very real in this little cottage industry. We are a threat because of our accuracy.
Torrentfreak have more of the letter on their site if you want to check it out.
Comments
17 responses to “Walking Dead Fans Threatened With Lawsuit Over Spoilers”
WOW!!! Legally liable for just guessing? What the fuck AMC?
I guess they’re sticking with canon and killing Glen. He’s got a new show, he’s barely on set and the others are… that’s my guess. So there ya go. But he has been spotted on set so who knows.
Screw AMC and this tactic though, guessing is part of the fun, if they’re trying to take that away, it’s ridiculous. I’m a part of this page and the community has always been very good willed, very supportive of the show and if they’re pulling this shit, wow.
I guess there’s Fear the Walking Dead…. nah. No thanks.
As someone who loathes spoilers (and those who spoil), and usually doesn’t have time to watch a serialized show such as the Walking Dead until the season has run it’s course – I am all for this!!
Double thumbs up AMC!
I’m not against them stopping the posting of official material. That’s fine, but stopping people *predicting* is ludicrous, I’d love to see how *that* would hold up in court of course.
To be fair, if I’ve read the above correctly, this group get their hands on highly confidential information and then distributes it.
The letter from AMC doesn’t seem to state they can’t predict who was killed (that was their wording) so I’m assuming their use of the word predicting is erroneous and they have in fact got their hands on this information and then pretending it’s just a prediction.
I know very little on the issue but from what I’ve gathered on from this article it’s not just a simple guess TSDF are making. They are using photos, on-shoot siting reports, actor schedules and other information sources to determine the outcome.
Yes and no. They’ve had stuff like that however usually, they’re spoilers from someone who actually works on the set and has access to screeners who gives them information a few days in advance of what’s going to happen. Ah well, in any case it’s like a hydra, the information will still get out, another site will just be chosen to use it.
I don’t watch the show but I do read the comics…….are they not the same story?? Cause everyone knows who gets their head smashed in.
The TV show deviates from the comics occasionally. For example who dies in what order, new characters.
It all ends up being Darryl’s dream, and he wakes up naked on a beach, covered in oil with a crying infant nearby.
This is stupid… Anyone who doesn’t want spoilers can pretty easily avoid them, or sites they are posted on. So what’s the issue?
Its basically pirate as soon as its available for anyone that doesnt want spoilers, and i reckon its Darryl, since he will be working on Kojimas game
I really hope you’re wrong :(. I’d rather lose Glen over Darryl any day.
*bites tongue* I wanna…. I wanna…. I wanna…. GET YOUR LAWYERS AWAY FROM ME AMC.
You say that. But I have friends that some how manage to find all the spoilers for Archer, Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Silicon Valley etc.. I don’t know how they manage this, I watch 2/4 of those shows I never seem to be spoiled on events that happen in them. Makes me think they actively go out of their way to find spoilers to just complain about them :/
Honestly i’ve stopped watching this, there doesnt seem to be a plot / end game / goal any more and its just recycling earlier episodes.
Probably not a smart idea to attack the people who do support your content for getting enthusiastic and excited.
I know what you mean. I watch it, but I don’t get excited for every episode. Its just something I watch. You’re right, there is no end game and its just misery every week lol
Yep, the comics have headed the same way and Kirkmans pretty much admitted he has an idea of where he wants it to go but no intent to end it :\